At its upcoming hearing on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, from 9AM – 1PM, the Massachusetts Joint Housing Committee will consider HB 1476, “An Act to codify pet-friendly elderly housing policies and ensure pet parity across housing authorities.” Sponsored by Representative Tacky Chan, HB 1476 would: (1) Establish a pet ownership program for elderly Massachusetts residents of state-aided public housing; (2) Prohibit housing facilities from banning dogs based on breed, size, weight, or appearance; (3) Prevent eviction solely due to pet ownership; (4) Exempt dogs determined by a municipality to be dangerous from public housing; and (5) Form an advisory group to update housing regulations, develop pet policies and provide guidance for housing committees and grievance panels.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports HB 1476 because it would eliminate discriminatory housing policies governing the ownership of dogs. We strongly oppose any policy that determines a dog to be “dangerous” based on specific breeds or phenotypic classes of dogs. AKC also supports fair processes by which specific dogs are identified as “dangerous” based on stated, measurable actions in state law.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Massachusetts residents are encouraged to contact the Joint Housing Committee to express support of HB 1476. Submit your comments, addressed to House Chairman Haggerty, by email to luke.oroark@mahouse.gov.
Anyone wishing to speak virtually or in person at the hearing may sign up before Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 12PM by completing this form. You will receive further instruction on how to participate directly from the committee. Those testifying in person should arrive by 9AM in Room A-2, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02133.
For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org; or the MassFed at info@massfeddogs.org.